Letters to the Editor, Summer 2002

Dear Editor

I wonder whether any of your readers could identify the object in this photograph?

It is believed to be a builder's mark. It appears on the outside rear wall (thought to be fifteenth century) of Brook House, Leeds, formerly the saddler's shop.

Miriam Scott

Dear Editor

CHRONOGRAMS

I recently came across an example in St Mary's Welwyn and wondered whether there were any examples in Kent. Chronograms combine an inscription and a date picked out in the capital letters and to be read as Roman numerals. I suspect that I, like others, may have read these in the past without realising their significance.

SIBI ET. PAROCHIANIS. HAEC. CHORI ALA. DE. SVO. CVRA. CAROLL. WILLES. WILSHERE. CONDITA EST.

The meaning and the date are as follows: This choir aisle of his responsibility was built by Charles Willes Wilshire for himself and the parish.

I+I + 100+I+I + 100 + 100+I + 50 +500 +5 +100+5 + 100+50+I + 1+50+50 +1+50 + 100+50+I = 1869

Duncan Harrington